Thirteen different approaches to decorating with vases

Vases are an elegant accent that can be used to decorate any room. Vases are a great way to complete the look of a room, whether they're holding flowers or not.  

There is a wide variety of vessels that can be used to display flowers, from miniature bud vases and classic glass designs to vintage jugs and rustic confit pots, many of which can look equally beautiful as stand-alone pieces within interior design.  

They can be displayed in a variety of ways, from clusters on a mantelpiece or a side table to singularly in the middle of a dining table.  

Here are some great examples of vase arrangements for inspiration, as well as some professional pointers on where to put them and what kind of vases to use for various flowers.

(Photo by Polly Wreford for Future)

How to arrange vases for a decorative display

The right vase can completely change the look of a bouquet, so it's important to take your time when shopping for vases for decorative purposes.

A well-chosen vase can transform even the most unassuming flowers into a work of art, so it's important to think about the type of bouquet you'll be receiving before making your purchase. therefore it is beneficial to offer a range of sizes and styles.

However, vases with sculptural shapes, hand-painted artisan designs, or made from beautiful materials showcasing fabulous texture, whether rustic or reflective, can look stunning displayed alone or in a curated grouping, even without flowers.

The first step in arranging beautiful flowers is selecting the perfect vase.

(Future/Malcolm Menzies)

Be prepared with a number of vases if you plan on using flowers for decoration. Since flowers are living organisms, their shape will naturally shift as they mature and develop over time.

The London-based florist Gail Smith says, "I'd recommend having a choice of vases." In this new window: by LSA International In this new window: It is possible for a bouquet of pink tulips to look stunning in one vase and dreadful in another. Flowers are most easily arranged in vases with a narrower neck than the vase's base. '

The tall, slender stems of flowers like delphiniums and larkspur deserve to be showcased in a clear, narrow, flared glass vase like the one shown here.

Decorative artisanal vessels arranged along a mantel

(Photograph by Polly Wreford; styling by Sally Denning)

Beautiful mantel decorations can be made by lining up a series of vases of varying heights and shapes. Choose a variety of organic, handmade ceramic vases for an interesting, textural arrangement, like those shown here from The New Craftsman and Be Still Ceramics.  

Even though they're lovely on their own, you can keep your mantel looking lovely all year round by placing a few stems of seasonal flowers in each vase.

Make a charming centerpiece for the table using old-fashioned materials.

Photograph by Brent Darby

No matter if you're hosting a dinner party or an afternoon tea in the kitchen, nothing beats a beautiful hand-tied bouquet of seasonal blooms for filling the room with color and fragrance and making the occasion more memorable for your guests. To spice up your dining room table, try using something other than a glass vase to hold your flowers.  

Florist Philippa Craddock recommends using urns or confit jars to achieve a country cottage feel, as these vessels work particularly well with "large headed flowers," such as double tulips, peonies, garden roses, and hydrangea. (link opens in a new window) A narrower neck makes it easier to hold and support these thicker stems, allowing you to make elaborate arrangements with relative ease. ' 

Place handmade vases in a display case.

Picture by Future / Jon Day.

Modern living rooms can benefit from a striking display of ceramic artisan vases in a variety of shapes, colors, and painterly finishes.

If you want the vases to stand out, paint the shelves a neutral color so that they provide a nice contrast to the vases without overpowering them.

5. Illuminate a dark corridor

(Photo by Future / Brent Darby)

A hallway, which serves as the first impression for visitors, is an ideal place to display vases filled with fresh flowers. A console table or sideboard is a necessary piece of furniture if you want to decorate your entry table.  

To give guests an idea of your taste and personality, "a console table will also give you a surface to add some decor," as noted by Emma Deterding, CEO and creative director of Kelling Designs. (Link opens in a new window) "Decorate the console with vases and objects, showcase prized family photos, and bring in a touch of nature with plants." '

Placing a mirror above a console is a great way to make a small hallway feel much larger, and it also serves as a beautiful magnifier for a vase of flowers.

Set out a collection of miniature flower vases.

photo by Philippa Craddock

It's not always necessary to use a lot of flowers to make a statement; sometimes just a few carefully chosen stems in a tiny vase can do the trick. As Philippa Craddock puts it, "I like to use bud vases for quick, elegant table designs, using simplistic single stems to mixed mini bunches of small stems."

These vases with a chinoiserie design are perfect for spicing up a blue and white decor scheme.

Seventh, bud vases grouped together

(Photo by Paul Raeside for Future)

Place a few stems in small glass vases in the center of the table, and surround them with a row of glass candlesticks for a refined yet striking centerpiece.  

Because of their light weight, the vases can be relocated whenever necessary, making them ideal for use when serving food. In order to prevent the vases from toppling over, it is important to select light-weight flowers.

Eight, put some sculptural branches in a tall vase.

(Photograph by Matthew Williams; Design by Athena Calderone)

A few foraged, leafy branches can make a beautiful sculptural centerpiece in a neutral room, as seen here, proving that plant decor doesn't have to break the bank.  

Branches will look their best when displayed in tall vases with a narrow neck. Instead, florist Philippa Craddock recommends 'apothecary glass vases are superb for wild, whimsical, just picked bunches of longer stems and branches.

9 Showcase a variety of glass vases with different hues

Photos by Brent Darby of the Future.

More and more of us are bringing color into our homes, and this trend has led to a surge in demand for tinted glass vases in recent years. They are a practical tool for hiding unsightly stems and a beautiful addition to bouquets of all kinds of flowers.

Place a few along a windowsill, and watch them sparkle like precious stones as the sun shines through.  

Ten. Group vases of varying heights together.

(Photo by: Oka)

Place a decorative display of vases on a living room sideboard or console table. According to Sue Jones, creator of Oka, "if you're wondering how to style a console table, try seeking inspiration from nature and thinking about the heights of the pieces." (link opens in a new tab) Bright flowers in a bold container can make any space feel more alive. '

She continues, "When decorating for spring and summer, look for ceramics with nature-inspired textures and calming shades of blue or cream, and be sure to pair designs of different heights together — contrasting tall and short pieces is pleasing to the eye."

11 Make use of old containers

To Alitex for the use of their image:

Flowers with a lot of personality, like dahlias, can be too much in a single vase, so to make the most of them, divide the bouquet and arrange the flowers in several smaller vases.  

Old metal floristry vases of enamel jugs in green are great for setting off hot-colored flowers and adding lovely character with their time-worn patina if you love decorating with vintage.

Twelve, stuff jugs with dried flowers

(Photo by Dot & Dandelion / Flicky Wallace)

While fresh flowers are lovely, they only last for a short time. However, dried flowers can be used to make a beautiful, long-lasting arrangement.

Since dried flowers naturally shrink during the drying process, more stems are required to adequately fill a vase. Since a bunch of stems can make a vase look cluttered, florist Gail Smith of LSA International suggests covering them up with something more visually appealing. Since dried flowers tend to be rigid and straight, I make sure to incorporate many with a slight wiggle in the stem for added visual interest. '

Dried flowers are available for purchase, but drying your own is a truly unique experience. Dot and Dandelion's vintage jug arrangement is a great example of what you can do once you learn how to dry flowers.

Place sculptural vases in a tabletop arrangement.

(Photographer Jake Curtis and stylist Alyce Taylor are responsible for the image.)

One of the best ways to add visual interest to a boring nook in your living room is to fill it with a collection of interesting vessels arranged on a plain table.  

To achieve harmony and balance, use a combination of heights and odd numbers of objects when decorating. Select pieces with sculptural forms and materials with lots of surface texture if you're going for a monochromatic look.  

Try a pedestal table because it will not compete with the artwork on display.

Are empty vases acceptable for decoration?

In that case, you can use vase fillers to adorn your home. The days of dusting off vases once every few years and bringing them out when necessary are long gone. There's no need to put vases away once the flowers are gone because many of them can be displayed beautifully even when they're not full.

Flowers can be displayed in a variety of containers, including urns, confit pots, and vintage jugs, all of which can be used as lovely decorative objects on their own or as part of a larger grouping. on a ledge or niche

Sculptural shapes, patterns, and textures in lovely colors make even empty vases suitable for displaying floral arrangements. Displaying empty vases in odd numbers and at varying heights creates visual interest.  

Put them on a console table in the foyer, or line them up on a sideboard in the living room or dining room. They also make a stunning addition to any shelf or glazed cabinet in which they are housed.

Illustration by Paul Raeside.

How do you arrange vases in your living room?

Vases can be displayed in a variety of ways at home. When filled with flowers, they serve as a lovely focal point for a table or console in the foyer.  

Traditional spring mantel displays include vases filled with fresh flowers; for fall, try using dried flowers or rustic branches.

Instead of storing vases in a dark, inaccessible place, like the utility closet, bring them out to be displayed on open shelves or in a glazed cabinet when they're not in use.  

Displaying a single statement vase—one with a colorful hand-painted design or a striking shape—on a mantel, shelf, or side table without any flowers in it is a beautiful sight.  

(Photo by Polly Eltes for Future)